Directed by
Anurag Kashyap
Made by
Netflix
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Ghost Stories (2019). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
For his television series “Psychic Cheats,” the skeptical Professor Philip Goodman publicly exposes the deceptions of celebrity psychic Mark Van Rhys during a live performance. Following the show, Philip recounts his admiration for Charles Cameron, a psychologist who dedicated his life to debunking paranormal claims but mysteriously vanished.
Shortly after, a surprise package arrives for Philip, containing an audiotape from Cameron, inviting him to his trailer. When they meet, an elderly Charles candidly reveals his past arrogance in dismissing the supernatural. He accuses Philip of being a “conceited coward” for the same reasons, subsequently presenting him with three intriguing case files. Charles challenges Philip to disprove these accounts of purported supernatural events. However, as Philip departs, he experiences a chilling vision of a strange presence looming behind Charles.
Case 1 - Tony Matthews: Philip’s investigation begins with Tony Matthews, a former night security guard whose daughter Marnie suffers from locked-in syndrome. Tony recounts a harrowing night in a deserted asylum where he encountered a ghostly girl clad in yellow who called him “dada.” To further explore this phenomenon, Philip consults Father Richard Emery, the parish priest, who describes how Marnie showed a visceral reaction to her father’s voice in her hospital room. Encouraged by this connection, Philip is prompted to visit his own unresponsive father.
Case 2 - Simon Rifkind: Continuing his investigation, Philip meets teenager Simon Rifkind. Upon entering Simon’s home, Philip witnesses his parents seemingly enchanted in their own world. Climbing the stairs, he discerns a spooky photograph depicting a hooded figure. Simon shares a terrifying experience involving a collision with an unknown creature while driving unsupervised, which resulted in an uncanny encounter with a menacing entity that commanded him to “stay” before he fled into the forest.
Philip later visits the location of Simon’s frightful incident, where a quick glimpse of his own ghostly reflection in his car’s window leaves him rattled.
Case 3 - Mike Priddle: In a remote countryside setting, Philip meets Mike Priddle, who shares his unsettling experiences while his pregnant wife, Maria, was hospitalized. As Mike recounts his encounters with a terrifying poltergeist, Philip momentarily sees the hooded figure. Mike’s story culminates in a haunting vision of his monstrous wife claiming that the real Maria had perished, a revelation tragically confirmed by hospital news of her death during childbirth. Haunted by despair, Mike shockingly takes his own life with a shotgun.
Returning to confront Charles, Philip dismisses all he has witnessed as a ruse. In a surreal twist, Charles reveals himself to be Mike Priddle, stating, “the brain sees what it wants to see,” before opening a rift in reality and guiding Philip through it.
In the eerie landscape of a tunnel by a stream, Philip reflects on being bullied as a child. Here, the identity of the hooded figure becomes clear; it is Desmond Callahan, known as ‘Kojak,’ who tragically meets a grim fate at the hands of the bullies. Confronted by his own guilt, Philip struggles with his inaction that led to Kojak’s death.
As the narrative unfolds, the consequences of Philip’s past decisions come crashing down upon him. A crib materializes, and a harrowing encounter with the ghastly Kojak ensues, leading Philip to a crisis point of terror. Ultimately, it is revealed that Philip exists in a catatonic state following a botched suicide, monitored by doctors Mike Priddle and Simon Rifkind, while Tony Matthews assumes the role of a custodian, cleaning Philip’s room in a twisted irony of his life’s circumstances.
Follow the complete movie timeline of Ghost Stories (2019) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Philip's Live Show
Professor Philip Goodman publicly exposes the deceptions of celebrity psychic Mark Van Rhys during a televised event. His skeptical approach sets the tone for his investigation into the paranormal and establishes his character as a debunker of supernatural claims.
Admiring Charles Cameron
Post-performance, Philip reflects on his admiration for psychologist Charles Cameron, who had dedicated his life to debunking the paranormal. He recalls the mystery surrounding Cameron's disappearance, which has haunted Philip's thoughts for years.
Intriguing Package
Philip receives an unexpected package containing an audiotape from the missing Cameron. The tape invites him to meet Charles in his trailer, raising Philip's curiosity and setting the stage for a confrontation about his views on the supernatural.
Meeting Charles Cameron
Upon meeting, Charles candidly expresses his regret for previously dismissing the supernatural. He challenges Philip, labeling him a 'conceited coward' for his skepticism, and presents him with three cases that demand investigation.
Investigation of Tony Matthews
Philip begins with the case of Tony Matthews, whose daughter Marnie suffers from locked-in syndrome. Tony recounts a spine-chilling encounter with a ghostly girl in an abandoned asylum, which severely shakes Philip's skepticism.
Father Richard Emery's Insights
Philip consults Father Richard Emery, who recounts Marnie's visceral reaction to her father's voice while in the hospital. The emotional connection prompts Philip to visit his own father, reflecting on family ties in the face of suffering.
Encounter with Simon Rifkind
Continuing his probe, Philip encounters teenager Simon Rifkind and discovers his unsettling family dynamic. Simon shares a traumatic experience involving an accident and a supernatural encounter in the woods, further mystifying Philip's perceptions.
Ghostly Reflection
While investigating the site of Simon's terrifying encounter, Philip catches a glimpse of his own ghostly reflection in his car. This unsettling visual pushes Philip deeper into introspection regarding his beliefs and experiences.
Meeting Mike Priddle
In a remote countryside area, Philip meets Mike Priddle, who shares his chilling experiences with a poltergeist while his wife was in the hospital. Mike's disturbing narrative adds another layer to Philip's skepticism and fear.
Mike's Haunting Encounter
Mike recounts a traumatic encounter with a terrifying vision of his wife, Maria. The shock of discovering her death during childbirth becomes a tragic revelation that deeply affects Philip's perception of reality.
Confrontation with Charles
Philip returns to confront Charles, dismissing everything he witnessed as mere trickery. However, Charles reveals a shocking truth about himself, stating that perception plays a significant role in understanding reality.
Into the Tunnel
Charles takes Philip into a surreal tunnel landscape. Here, Philip confronts the memories of his childhood bullying, leading to a haunting revelation about guilt and remorse associated with past events.
Revelation of Kojak
In the grips of his vision, Philip finally recognizes the hooded figure as Kojak, a victim of past bullying. The confrontation serves to illustrate Philip's deep-seated guilt over his inaction during Kojak's tragic fate.
Climactic Terror
Faced with the materialization of unresolved guilt manifesting as a crib, Philip endures a terrifying encounter with the ghastly figure of Kojak. This confrontation culminates in a pivotal moment that challenges his understanding of life and death.
Philip's True State
In a shocking twist, it is revealed that Philip has been in a catatonic state, watched over by doctors Mike Priddle and Simon Rifkind. The irony of Tony Matthews as his custodian underscores a tragic conclusion to his journey of skepticism.
Explore all characters from Ghost Stories (2019). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Charles Cameron
Charles is portrayed as a once-arrogant psychologist, now grappling with his previous skepticism towards the supernatural. His character serves as a catalyst for Philip’s journey, revealing the complexities and burdens of belief. He embodies the struggle of reconciling empirical evidence with haunting experiences.
Philip Goodman
Philip, the central skeptic, is driven by his quest to debunk paranormal claims. His character faces the chilling manifestations of his past fears and guilt, pushing him into a psychological confrontation with himself. As his investigation unfolds, he transitions from cynicism to terror, exploring deeper emotional layers.
Tony Matthews
Tony is a former security guard haunted by his daughter’s condition and a disturbing encounter in the asylum. His character reflects the tragedy of parental love intertwined with supernatural horror, as he navigates feelings of helplessness. Tony's personal struggles add depth to his eerie experiences.
Mike Priddle
Mike, a grieving husband, experiences supernatural events linked to the trauma of his wife's death. His character embodies the fear and despair that accompany loss, leading him to drastic actions. Mike’s story is a poignant exploration of love, tragedy, and the desperation that follows a loved one’s passing.
Simon Rifkind
Simon is a teenager entangled in a terrifying incident that serves as a focal point for Philip's investigation. His character captures the intense emotions of youth and the encounters with fear that can shape one’s journey to adulthood. Simon’s confrontation with supernatural elements is both literal and metaphorical.
Learn where and when Ghost Stories (2019) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
The movie navigates contemporary themes of mental health, trauma, and the supernatural. It highlights the intersection of skepticism and belief in the paranormal against a backdrop of personal crises. These elements resonate strongly in today's conversations about psychological wellbeing and the fragility of the human mind.
Location
Deserted Asylum, Countryside, Hospital
The deserted asylum serves as a haunting backdrop, steeped in history and eeriness, where ghostly encounters unfold. The countryside setting provides a stark contrast with its serene landscape, yet carries a chilling atmosphere as horrific events transpire. Hospitals, often places of healing, introduce a sense of vulnerability and despair due to the tragic fates of some characters.
Discover the main themes in Ghost Stories (2019). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
👻
Supernatural
The theme of the supernatural permeates the film as characters grapple with unexplained phenomena. Each story encapsulates the struggle between belief and doubt in the face of mysterious occurrences. The film challenges viewers to confront their own perceptions of reality and the unseen.
🧠
Mental Health
Mental health plays a significant role as characters confront their past traumas that manifest through supernatural experiences. The narrative explores mental illness's effects on reality perception, fostering a broader discussion about psychological distress. It ultimately sheds light on the consequences of unresolved trauma and guilt.
⚰️
Tragedy
Tragedy unfolds through the stories of the characters, particularly through loss and despair. Each tale conveys a deep sense of sorrow, from bereavement to suicide, illustrating life's darker sides. The film exposes viewers to the harsh realities faced by individuals at the intersection of grief and the supernatural.
Unravel the ending of Ghost Stories (2019) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.
The ending of Ghost Stories reveals a shocking twist that completely changes the viewer’s understanding of the film. Throughout the story, things feel surreal and unsettling, with hints that all may not be as they seem. As the narrative unfolds, Goodman, the main character, begins to realize that the supernatural cases he’s investigating are actually manifestations of his own guilt and trauma. The breakthrough comes when Goodman follows the clues into his own past and uncovers that the bizarre phenomena are not paranormal at all but are rooted in his repressed memories.
In a deeply unsettling climax, Goodman’s reality begins to crumble. It’s revealed that he is in a coma following a suicide attempt, and everything he has experienced— the ghostly encounters and the sinister revelations—are his subconscious mind’s way of processing his guilt. The moment when Goodman’s finger is forced into Callahan’s mouth turns out to be a hallucination; the “corpse” of Callahan is really a breathing tube, symbolizing Goodman’s unconscious pleas for help. The final scene shows Goodman in the hospital, with Callahan’s finger as a breathing tube—making it clear that everything was a mental construct, a manifestation of his remorse and unresolved feelings.
The film emphasizes that Goodman’s three stories—about regret, fear of vulnerability, and failure to confront painful truths—are metaphors for internal struggles men often find difficult to express. The theme explores how toxic masculinity and suppressed emotions can lead to internal suffering and even self-destruction. The twist underscores that the true horror is not supernatural, but the mental anguish driven by the inability to face and articulate one’s feelings, which ultimately led Goodman to attempt to take his own life. The reveal invites viewers to reflect on the importance of emotional honesty and the devastating consequences of emotional repression.
Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Explore Our Movie Platform
New Movie Releases (2025)
Famous Movie Actors
Top Film Production Studios
Movie Plot Summaries & Endings
Major Movie Awards & Winners
Best Concert Films & Music Documentaries
© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.